SKI: Best family resorts for Easter
Families who have left it too late to book a ski trip during February half-term should consider an Easter break instead, especially as Good Friday falls early on March 29, four weeks before the end of the ski season.
You might have to put up with a bit of slush if the weather turns warm, but the slope will be quieter than in February and Easter skiing is also kinder on the wallet as lift passes, accommodation and even ski hire are often cheaper than during half-term.
Ski Safari reckons that those with children whose schools break up a day or two earlier than the majority will be able to save up to £200pp on flights.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are Ski Safari’s top five destinations for family holidays this Easter:
1. Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, USA Located on Lake Tahoe’s beautiful North Shore, Squaw Valley has already had 20ft of snow this season and it provides access to six other ski resorts around the Lake, including Heavenly and Kirkwood.
Squaw is one of the few resorts in North America where nearly all the accommodation is ski in/out. The five-star Resort at Squaw Creek has its own chairlift, ice-skating rink and comprehensive children’s programme.
2. Banff, Canada This Canadian resort has an exceptionally long season, stretching from November through to May and offers family friendly accommodation, especially at the recently renovated three-star Banff Inn.
3. Zermatt, Switzerland Zermatt is also one of the few resorts in the world which is skiable 365 days of the year, thanks to one of Europe’s largest glacier ski areas as well as the continent’s highest with lifts reaching 3,800m. Ideal for families whose children are already accomplished skiers.
4. Geilo, Norway Offers excellent, English-speaking instructors and first-rate childcare, plus off the slopes there is a wide range of winter activities such as husky dog-sledding horse sleigh rides and high rope course.
A family favourite is the Vestlia Resort, thanks to its close proximity to the slopes and skiing amenities as well as housing a large indoor play area and family pool.
5. Åre, Sweden Offers skiing from early December to early May on crowd-free slopes. Ice-skating, sleigh rides, ice-fishing, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, ice-driving, zip-lining, snow-kiting and even moose kissing are all on offer to maximise winter family fun.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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